Flood control system

ABSTRACT

A flood control system for preventing the flooding of a house basement, and including a valve disposed within the seepage drain pipe, which upon actuation closes off the seepage drain pipe preventing water from backing up from the main sewer line through the drainage pipe and into the seepage drain tile, which is disposed adjacent the house foundation. Appropriate sensing means is preferably disposed within the sanitary drain pipe at a level below the drain tile for sensing water backed up therein from the main sewer line to actuate the valve and to close the seepage drain pipe. The sensing means may also be connected to a basement toilet for closing off the toilet when the water backs up, preventing the water from backing up through the toilet into the basement.

United States Patent &1

[451 July 11,1972

[54] FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM 2 1 Appl. No.: 41,907

3,202,165 8/1965 Yavicoli 137/1 15 X 2,792,011 5/1957 Weisrnan et a1...I 37/1 15 X 2,739,662 3/1956 Sofia ..l37/l 15 2,431,640 11/1947Gordon... ..137/1 15 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Atromzy-Hauke,Gifford and Patalidis ABSTRACT A flood control system for preventing theflooding of a house basement, and including a valve disposed within theseepage drain pipe, which upon actuation closes off the seepage drainpipe preventing water from backing up from the main sewer line throughthe drainage pipe and into the seepage drain tile, which is disposedadjacent the house foundation. Appropriate sensing means is preferablydisposed within the sanitary drain pipe at a level below the drain tilefor sensing water backed up therein from the main sewer line to actuatethe valve and to close the seepage drain pipe. The sensing means mayalso be connected to a basement toilet for closing of? the toilet whenthe water backs up, preventing the water from backing up through thetoilet into the basement.

13Claims,8DrawlngHgures 52 use .A/l. 137/115 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47lt17/00, E03d 1 1/00 [58] Fleldofseareh ..l37lll5,ll0,139,328,107,137/240;210/1ll;4/1,l0

[56] Reference Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.549.204 4/1951 Kaddatz..l37/l l5 2,747,678 5/1956 Howe ..l37/115 2,960,101 11/1960 Winter..l37/l l5 2,591.030 4/1952 Versoy. ....l37/l39 3,093,156 6/1963Nielsen.. ....l37/328 3.093.154 6/1963 Nialsen ....l37/1l5 3,017,8951/1962 Portner ..l37/1l5 f k s P A TENTEDJUL 1 1 m2 SHEEI 10F 3 INVENTOREMIL A. GAJ

ATTORNEYS PATENT'EOJUL 11 m2 3, 675,248

Ill/l/l/l/Il/ll/l/l INVENTOR EMIL A. GAJ

ATTORNEYS 11000 CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates generally to flood controlsystems, and more particularly to a flood control system for use inhouses to prevent the flooding of the basement.

ll. Description of the Prior Art Many types of flood control systems forhouses have been made, one being illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,204issued Apr. 17, 1951 to Oscar W. Kaddatz, wherein a valve is provided inthe sewage drainage pipe in appropriate means for sensing the presenceof water as caused by heavy rains and for closing the valve to preventthe backwater from flowing back into the system.

The disadvantages of such a device include the fact that once a house isconstructed the sewer tile would have to be dug up in order to installsuch a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The house flood control system of the presentinvention includes a solenoid activated valve which may be inserted intothe conventional seepage drain pipe communicating between the seepagedrain tile surrounding the foundation of the house and the main sewerline for blocking the back-flow of water from the main sewage linethrough the seepage drain pipe and into the seepage drain tile, where itwill flow into the ground and through cracks in the basement floor andfoundation into the house basement. When the solenoid is deenergized.the valve allows water to flow from the seepage drain tile, through theseepage drain pipe and into the main sewer line and in the oppositedirection from the main sewer line into the seepage drain tile. When thesolenoid is energized, the valve is closed preventing water flow throughthe seepage drain pipe either from the drain tile to the main sewer lineor from the main sewer line to the drain tile.

A sensing mechanism is preferably provided in the conventional housesewage pipe for sensing the back up of water from the main sewer lineduring a heavy rain fall and other flood conditions to energize thesolenoid and close off the seepage drain pipe. Thus, when water backs-upinto the house sewage pipe and drainage pipe, the valve is automaticallyclosed preventing the water from backing-up into the drainage tile andflooding the basement.

The sensing mechanism may also be connected to a basement toilet forenergizing a valve mechanism therein to close off the toilet duringwater back-up to prevent the flooding of the basement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description refers to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to likeparts through the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the flood control system of thepresent invention inserted into the conventional house drainage andsewer pipes;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a sensing mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the valve mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the seepage drainpipe and the sanitary pipe connected into the main sewer line;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a basement toilet embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the valve mechanism in the basementtoilet shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the valve mechanism shown in its closedposition; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the valve mechanism shown in its open position.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1. a portionof a house is shown including a basement wall 10 supported by a housefoundation 12 and having a basement floor 14 extending horizontallyoutward from the juncture of the basement wall 10 and foundation 12.Conventionally, houses are built with seepage drain tile, generallyindicated at 16, extending around the house immediately adjacent theouter surface of the foundation 1! for capturing the water that filtersthrough the earth. Houses may also be provided with a seepage drain tile18 extending around the house adjacent the inner surface of thefoundation 12. The water filtering through the earth flows into thedrain tiles l6 and 18 and is carried away preventing the water fromflowing through cracks in the basement wall 10, foundation 12 andbasement floor 14 and into the house basement, to thereby aid inmaintaining the basement in its dry condition.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drain tile 16 and seepage drain pipe 20flows downwardly from the drain tile 16 and 18 into the drain pipe 22,such that the water flows by the force of gravity from the drain tile 16and 18, through the drain pipe 20 and into the main sewer system.conventionally, the seepage drain pipe 22 includes a straight section ofpipe 24 that connects into the lower end of a vertically disposedstraight pipe 26 which extends through the basement floor 14 andterminates in an internally threaded opening 28. A downwardly bent elbowsection 30 is connected between the lower end of the pipe 26 and astraight section of pipe 32, which connects into the main sewage system.A clean out plug is normally threaded into the opening 28 and may beremoved to clean out dirt and other solid particles which accumulate inthe elbow section 30. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the elbowsection 30 is normally filled with water, preventing fumes frombacking-up from the main sewer system.

A sanitary drain pipe 34 is normally disposed at an elevation slightlylower than the drain pipe 22 and is connected between the sanitationreceptacles of the house and the main sewer system. The sanitary drainsystem conventionally includes a straight section of pipe 36 disposed ata slightly lower eleva tion than the drain pipe 22 and having avertically disposed section of pipe 38 extending through the basementfloor 14 for providing a drain 40. The floor drain 40 preferablyincludes a ball and seat arrangement such that water cannot back-upthrough the pipe 38 and into the basement of the house. The sanitarydrain system also includes a vertically disposed section of pipe 42which extends upwardly through the basement floor 14 and terminates inan internally threaded opening 44. A threaded clean-out plug is normallyscrewed into the opening 44 to close off the pipe 42. When it is desiredto clean out the sanitary drain system, the plug may be removed andappropriate cleaning apparatus inserted therein for cleaning the system.As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary pipe 34 slants downwardly toward themain sewage system such that the sewage flowing into the pipe 34 willflow to the main sewage system.

During heavy rainfall and other flood conditions, the main sewer systembecomes flooded and water and sewage therefrom backs-up into the drainpipe 22 and the sanitary drain pipe 34. Water and sewage from the drainpipe 22 flows through the seepage drain pipe 20 into the drain tile 16and 18 and therefrom into the surrounding ground, causing water pressureto build up around the basement wall 10, the founda tion 12 and thebasement floor l4, forcing the water and sewage through any cracks oropenings which might be formed therein and into the basement of thehouse. Thus, a device is needed which, when the main sewer system startsto back-up, will automatically close off flow to the seepage drain pipe20, preventing water and sewage from backing-up into the drain tile 16and 18 and. thus, preventing the flooding of the basement.

The flood control system, generally indicated at 46, operates to closeoff the drain pipe 22 during flooding and back-up of the main sewersystem, preventing the water and sewage therein from backing-up into thedrain pipe and the drain tile 16 and 18 and flooding the basement of thehouse. Specifically, the flood control system 46 includes a valveassembly 48, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3. The valve assembly 48is inserted into the straight section of pipe 26 by removing the plugwhich is normally threaded into the opening 28. Thus, the valve assembly48 may be inserted into a conventional system presently used in houseswithout the necessity of breaking the basement floor or otherwisesubstantially modifying the system.

As can best be seen in FIG. 3 valve assembly 48 includes a threaded plug50 which may be threaded into the opening 28 and which has a cylindricalopening 52 extending therethrough. The plug 50 has an upwardly extendingtubular portion 54. The assembly is supported by a tube 56 which extendsthrough the cylindrical opening 52 and which is secured therein bywelding, bonding or the like, and has an O-ring 58 extending therearoundand disposed within the tubular portion 54 for preventing water fromleaking through the apparatus and into the house basement. The tube 56is of such a length that its lower end is disposed immediately below thejuncture of the pipes 24 and 26.

The valve assembly 48 includes a bracket 60 which is secured to thelower end of the tube 56 and which has a tubular portion 62 extendingover the end of the tube 56 and downwardly therefrom. The tubularportion 62 may be secured to the lower end of the tube 56 by anyconvenient means such as welding, bonding or the like and includes aradially inwardly extending flange 64 disposed adjacent the end of thetube 56. The flange 64 forms a centrally located aperture 66 for reasonsto be described. A flange 68 extends radially outward from the lower endof the tubular portion 62 and includes a plurality of threaded openings70 for receiving bolts 72. A toroidal shaped rigid member 74 is disposedaround the tubular portion 62 of the bracket 60 and includes apertures76 for receiving the bolts 72. A toroidal shaped resilient member 78,preferably formed from hard rubber, is disposed around the tubularportion 62 of the bracket 60 between the member 74 and the flange 68 andincludes apertures 80 formed therein for receiving the bolts 72. Withthe unit positioned as shown in F 16$. 1 and 3, the bolts 72 may betightened down, compressing the resilient member 78 between the member74 and the flange 68, expanding the member 78 outwardly so as to form awater-tight seal with the inner surface of the pipe 26 and inwardly soas to form a water-tight seal with the outer surface of the tubularportion 62.

The tubular portion 62 is formed with a plurality of radially extendingapertures 82 immediately above the position of the toroidal shapedmember 74 for allowing water flowing from the drain tile 16 and 18 andthe drain pipe 20 to flow through the bracket 60 and into a chamber 84formed by the tubular portion 62. A spherical member 86 is suspendedimmediately below the central opening 85 of the chamber 84 for reasonsto be described, forming a toroidal shaped space 88 between the member86 and the bracket 60 for allowing the water from the chamber 84 to flowinto the elbow section and on to the main sewer system. Thus, aspositioned in FIGS. 1 and 3, the water may flow from the drain tile 16and 18 through the bracket 60 to the sewer line 32. The spherical member86 is supported by a rod 90 which extends upwardly through the sphericalmember 88, the chamber 84, the aperture 66 and the tube 56 and has itsupper end secured to a magnet 92 which forms a part of a solenoid 94.The rod 90 has its lower end threaded as at 96 for receiving a first nut98 which is threaded a sufficient distance onto the rod 90 to allow theend of the rod to be inserted through a cylindrical aperture 100 formedin the member 86, and a second nut 102 threaded onto the end of the rod90 so as to secure the member 86 between the two nuts.

The solenoid 94, which may be of any conventional design, is secured tothe top of the tube 56 by means of a bracket assembly 104 of anyconventional design, secured around the tube 56 and supporting avertically disposed rectangular plate 106 which has the solenoid 94secured to its upper end by means of screws 108.

When the solenoid 94 is energized by means hereinafter described, themagnet 92 is pulled upwardly into the solenoid, pulling the rod and thespherical member 86 upwardly such that the member 86 is pulled againstthe bracket 60 closing off the space 88, preventing water from flowingfrom the chamber 84 into the elbow section 30.

The spherical member 86 is preferably made from a resilient material,such as hard rubber, so as to form a watertight seal between the member86 and the rod 90 and nuts 98 and 102 and with the bracket 60. With thespherical member 86 in its upper position, water is also prevented fromflowing in either direction through the bracket 60. Thus, during a heavyrain or other flood condition, when the member 86 is in its upperposition, water and sewage from the main sewage system is prevented frombacking-up through the drain pipe 22 into the seepage drain pipe 20 andthe drain tile 16 and I8, preventing the flooding of the house basement.During the flood condition, the water seeping through the ground flowsinto the drain tile 16 and 18, filling up the drain tile and the drainpipe 20. The water therein is prevented from flowing into the main sewersystem by the closed off bracket 60, but the volume of the drain tile 16and 18 and the pipe 20 is large enough to hold the water during thisperiod of time.

During normal periods, the member 86 is in its lower position, allowingwater to flow from the drain pipe 22, through the apertures 82, thechamber 84 and out the space 88 into the sewer line 32. Thus, thesolenoid 94 must be energized during flood conditions to pull the member86 upwardly and deenergized when the flood condition is over forallowing the member 86 by the force of gravity to drop back to its lowerposition.

The solenoid 94 is energized by a sensing mechanism, generally indicatedat 110, and including a tube 112 that extends into the upwardlyextending pipe 42. The tube 112 is supported in an aperture 114 fannedin a plug 116, which may be threaded into the opening 44, and securedtherein as by welding, bonding or the like. As can best be seen in F IG.2 the plug 116 includes an upwardly extending tubular portion disposedaround the pipe 112 and having an O-ring 117 disposed therein to preventwater leakage therethrough. The sensing mechanism 110 includes a bracket118 secured around the tube 112 adjacent its upper end and supporting anL-shaped plate 120. One of the legs 122 has its lower end secured to thebracket 118 by means of screws 124 and extends u wardly therefrom. Thesecond leg 126 extends horizontally outward from the upper end of theleg 122.

The sensing mechanism 110 includes a floatable spherical member 128disposed immediately below the lower end of the tube 112 at the junctureof the pipes 42 and 36 and has a flexible cord 130 extending through anaperture 132 formed therein. The cord 130 is tied at 134 for securingthe member 128 thereto and extends upwardly through the tube 112 withits other end extending through an aperture 136 fonned in one end of anelongated member 138. The cord 130 is tied at its upper end 140 toprevent the cord from slipping through the aperture 136. The member 138is pivoted at its other end about a pin 142. A micro switch 144 of anyconventional design is secured to the plate 120 immediately below themember 138 between the pin 142 and the aperture 136 and has a springloaded switch button 146 extending upwardly and into contact with thelower surface of the member 138. The button 146 is spring loaded to anupper position.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the switch 144 is connected to a source ofelectrical power by wires 148 and a plug 150 and is connected to thesolenoid 94 to energize the same by wires 152. As the member 138 isrotated clockwise about the pin 142, the switch button 146 is allowed tomove upwardly, closing the switch 144 and energizing the solenoid 94. Asthe member 138 is rotated counter-clockwise about the pin 142,

the button 146 is pushed downwardly, opening the switch 144 anddeenergizing the solenoid 94.

Thus, during a heavy rain or other flood condition, the water and sewagebegins to back-up from the main sewer line into the pipes 32 and 36. Asthe water and sewage backs-up into the sanitary pipe 34, the member 128is pushed upward due to its buoyancy. As the member 128 is pushedupwardly, the tension on the cord 130 is released, allowing the springloaded button 146 to move upwardly, rotating the member 138 clockwiseabout the pin 142. The upward movement of the button 146 closes theswitch 144 and energizes the solenoid 94, pulling the member 86upwardly, blocking off the drain pipe 22. Thus, as water and sewagebacks-up into the sanitary pipe 34, the drain pipe 22 is automaticallyblocked, preventing the sewage and water from backing-up into the draintile 16 and 18 and flooding the basement.

When the flood condition has passed and the backed-up water and sewageflows out of the pipe 34, the member 128 moves downward, pulling thecord 130 downward and rotating the member 138 counter-clockwise aboutthe pin 142. The counter-clockwise rotation of the member 138 pushes thebutton 146 downward, deenergizing the solenoid 94, which allows themember 86 to move downward. The seepage drain system may then functionas normal and water may flow from the drain tile 16 and 18 through thepipe 32 to the main sewer system.

It will be noted that although the valve formed by the bracket 60 andthe spherical member 86 is disposed within the seepage drain pipe 22adjacent the elbow section 30 for reasons of convenience and ease ofinstallation, it may be disposed anywhere within the seepage drainsystem between the drain tile 16 and 18 and the connection to the mainsewer system. Although the sensing mechanism 110 is shown disposed inthe sanitary pipe 34, it will be noted that the mechanism 1 may beplaced anywhere in the system as long as the spherical member 128 isdisposed at an elevation below that of the drain tile 16 and 18 so as toshut-off the drain pipe 20 before the backed-up water reaches the draintile.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, if it is desired to place a toilet inthe basement of the house, it is necessary to provide a mechanism toprevent the water and sewage backed-up from the main sewer line 22 fromflooding the basement through the toilet. Such a mechanism isillustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. A conventional toilet 154 is shownmounted on a spacer 156 above the basement floor 14. The spacer 156 isof the same thickness as the flood control assembly 158 and supports theweight of the toilet 154.

The flood control assembly 158 includes three generally flat rectangularmembers 160, 162 and 164 disposed in an aligned sandwich arrangement.The top and bottom members 160 and 164 are secured together in a pair ofparallel planes by means of three screws 166, 168 and 170. The screws166 and 170 extend through a pair of aligned corners of the members 160and 164 adjacent one of the longitudinal edges of the sandwichstructure. The remaining screw 168 is disposed adjacent the otherlongitudinal edge of the sandwich structure approximately midway alongits length. The structure includes tubular spacers 172, 174 and 176disposed around the screws 166, 168 and 170, respectively, formaintaining the members 160 and 164 a specific distance apart. Themember 160 is formed with a circular aperture 178 adjacent one end whichaligns with the passage 180 formed in the toilet 154 and pipe 182 thatconnects into the sanitary pipe 34. The member 164 is formed with acircular aperture 184 adjacent one end which aligns with the aperture178.

The third member 162 is rotatably mounted between the members 160 and164 on a pivot screw 186, which is disposed adjacent the screw 168. Inits normal position as shown in FIG. 8, the member 162 is disposedbetween the members 160 and 164 with its edges aligned with the edges ofthe members. ln this position, the aperture 188 fomied in one end of themember 162 aligns with the apertures 178 and 184 such that human sewageis allowed to flow from the passage 180 through the assembly 158 andinto the pipe 182.

It will be noted that the comers of the member 162 adjacent the screws166 and are cutoff along lines 190 and 192 to enable the member to berotatably mounted between the members 160 and 162. The member 162 isalso cut out at 194 to provide space for the screw 168.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the member 162 may be rotatedcounter-clockwise about the screw 186 to the position illustrated inFIG. 7. ln this position, the aperture 188 is out of alignment with theapertures 178 and 184 and a solid portion of the member 162 is disposedbetween the apertures 178 and 184. In this position, when water andsewage backs-up into the sanitary pipe 34, it is prevented frombacking-up through the basement toilet 154 by the assembly 158,preventing the flooding of the basement. An O-ring 189 id disposedbetween the members 162 and 164 around the aperture 184 to form afluid-tight seal therebetween.

The member 162 may be rotated about the screw 186 by any convenientmeans, such as a motor and gear arrangement disposed within a housing196. A bar 198 which has teeth 200 formed therein extends through thehousing 196 and engages the gear therein. One of the free ends of thebar 198 is pivotally mounted to a stud 202, which extendsperpendicularly outward from one end of one of the longitudinal sides ofthe member 162. Thus, when the motor within the housing 196 isenergized, the gear therein turns to rotate the member 162 eitherclockwise or counter-clockwise about the screw 186.

The motor within the housing 196 is connected to the switch 144 and itsown source of electrical power by means of wires 204 and includescircuitry well known in the art, such as appropriate limit switches,such that when the switch 144 is closed the motor is energized to rotatethe member 162 counter-clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 7,preventing the flooding of the basement through the toilet 154. When theswitch 144 is opened, the motor is energized to rotate the member 162clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 8, allowing the toilet 154 to beused normally.

Thus, a flood control system is disclosed wherein a sensing mechanismoperates to shut off the seepage drain pipe and the basement toiletduring heavy rain and other flood conditions which could cause the mainsewer line to baclt-up.

Although I have described but one preferred embodiment of my invention,it is to be understood that various changes and revisions can be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeof the appended claims.

1. A flood control system for use in a house having a seepage drainsystem including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the housefoundation and a seepage drain pipe communicating between said draintile and the main sewer system and a sewage pipe communicating betweenthe house sanitary receptacles and the main sewer system, said floodcontrol system comprising:

a valve assembly having a valve member disposed within said seepagedrain pipe and operable to shut off said pipe when said valve assemblyis actuated; and

a sensing mechanism connected into said sewage pipe at a point belowsaid drain tile for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewersystem and connected to said valve assembly to actuate said assemblywhen sewage backs-up from said main sewer system whereby to preventsewage from said main sewer system from backing up into said seepagedrain system.

2. The flood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said valveassembly includes a solenoid connected to said valve member andenergized by said sensing mechanism to shut off said drain pipe whensewage backs-up from said main sewer system.

3. The flood control system as defined in claim 2, wherein said valveassembly includes an elongated member having said solenoid secured toone end, said valve member including a tubular member having one endsecured to the other end of said elongated member, said tubular memberhaving radially extending apertures formed therethrough and an annularflange extending outward from said tubular member, a

resilient member disposed adjacent said flange for forming a fluid tightseal between the outer surface of said tubular member and the innersurface of said drain pipe, a spherical member disposed adjacent thefree end of said tubular member and connected to said solenoid forpulling said spherical member against said end to stop the flow of fluidthrough said tubular member.

4. The flood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensingmechanism includes an elongated member having a switch secured to oneend and the other end extending into said sewage pipe, said switch beingconnected to a source of electrical power and to said valve assembly toactuate said assembly upon actuation of said switch, a floatable memberdisposed adjacent the end of said elongated member disposed within saidsewage pipe and operably connected to said switch to actuate said switchwhen pushed upward by sewage backedup into said sewage pipe.

5. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary andseepage drain system including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent thehouse foundation, a seepage drain pipe communicating between said draintile and the main sewer line and an access pipe extending from saiddrain pipe through the basement floor, comprising:

an elongated valve assembly extending through said access pipe into saiddrain pipe and having a valve disposed within said drain pipe forclosing off said drain pipe upon actuation of said valve assembly; and

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary and seepage drainsystem for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line andconnected to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewagebacks-up from said main sewer line.

6. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensingassembly includes a sensing member disposed within said sanitary andseepage drain system at an elevation below said drain tile.

7. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said valveassembly includes an elongated member extending through said access pipeinto said drain pipe, a solenoid secured to the outer end of saidelongated member and connected to said sensing assembly for actuationthereby, said valve being secured to the inner end of said elongatedmember and connected to said solenoid for actuation thereby.

8. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensingassembly includes an elongated member extending into said sanitary andseepage drain system, a switch connected to the upper end of saidelongated member and connected to a source of electrical power and saidvalve assembly for actuating said valve assembly upon actuation of saidswitch, a floatable member disposed adjacent the lower end of saidelongated member and operably connected to said switch to actuate saidswitch when said member is pushed upwards by backed-up sewage.

9. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary systemconnected into a main sewer system a drain system connected into saidmain system, and a basement toilet connected to said sanitary system,said flood control system comprising:

means for automatically closing communication between said sewer systemand said drain system upon sensing sewage back-up from said main sewersystem,

a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basementfloor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-upfrom said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism; and

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing theback-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valvemechanism to actuate said valve mechanism upon back-up of sewage fromsaid main sewer line.

10. The flood control system as defined in claim 9, wherein said valvemechanism includes three substantially rectangular planar membersdisposed in three substantially parallel planes, he first and secondmembers being fixedly secured to one another and each having an apertureformed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in saidtoilet and a pipe of said sanitary systems, the third member having anaperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said firstand second member between a first position wherein the aperture of saidthird member aligns with the apertures of said first and second membersand a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member isdisposed between the apertures of said first and second members toprevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.

11. The flood control system as defined in claim 9, and including avalve assembly having a valve member disposed within said sanitarysystem and operable to shut off at least a portion of said sanitarysystem upon actuation thereof, said valve assembly being connected tosaid sensing assembly for actuation thereby.

12. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary systemconnected into a main sewer system and a basement toilet comprising:

a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basementfloor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-upfrom said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism;

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing theback-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valvemechanism upon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line; said valvemechanism including three substantially rectangular planar membersdisposed in three substantially parallel planes, the first and secondmembers being fixedly secured to one another and each having an apertureformed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in saidtoilet and a pipe of said sanitary system, the third member having anaperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said firstand second member between a first position wherein the aperture of saidthird member aligns with the apertures of said first and second membersand a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member isdisposed between the apertures of said first and second members toprevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.

13. The flood control system as defined in claim 12, and including avalve assembly having a valve member disposed within said sanitarysystem and operable to shut off at least a portion of said sanitarysystem from said main sewer system upon actuation thereof, said valveassembly being connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby.

3, 675,248 Dated July 11, 1972 Patent No.

lnventor(s) Emil G j It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown he1ow:

Column 2, line 18, after l6 and" insert -18 are connected into a seepagedrain pipe 20 that is connected through a drain pipe 22 to the mainsewer system. As illustrated in FIG. 1,

the

Column 6, line 14, "id" should be is--.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of Novembe r 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETQH1:JR,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng OfficerCommissionerof Patents 157M P1 PUNK 411mm,

1. A flood control system for use in a house having a seepage drainsystem including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the housefoundation and a seepage drain pipe communicating between said draintile and the main sewer system and a sewage pipe communicating betweenthe house sanitary receptacles and the main sewer system, said floodcontrol system comprising: a valve assembly having a valve memberdisposed within said seepage drain pipe and operable to shut off saidpipe when said valve assembly is actuated; and a sensing mechanismconnected into said sewage pipe at a point below said drain tile forsensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer system and connectedto said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewage backs-upfrom said main sewer system whereby to prevent sewage from said mainsewer system from backing up into said seepage drain system.
 2. Theflood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve assemblyincludes a solenoid connected to said valve member and energized by saidsensing mechanism to shut off said drain pipe when sewage backs-up fromsaid main sewer system.
 3. The flood control system as defined in claim2, wherein said valve assembly includes an elongated member having saidsolenoid secured to one end, said valve member including a tubularmember having one end secured to the other end of said elongated member,said tubular member having radially extending apertures formedtherethrough and an annular flange extending outward from said tubularmember, a resilient member disposed adjacent said flange for forming afluid tight seal between the outer surface of said tubular member andthe inner surface of said drain pipe, a spherical member disposedadjacent the free end of said tubular member and connected to saidsolenoid for pulling said spherical member against said end to stop theflow of fluid through said tubular member.
 4. The flood control systemas defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing mechanism includes anelongated member having a switch secured to one end and the other endextending into said sewage pipe, said switch being connected to a sourceof electrical power and to said valve assembly to actuate said assemblyupon actuation of said switch, a floatable member disposed adjacent theend of said elongated member disposed within said sewage pipe andoperably connected to said switch to actuate said switch when pushedupward by sewage backed-up into said sewage pipe.
 5. A flood controlsystem for use in a house having a sanitary and seepage drain systemincluding seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the house foundation, aseepage drain pipe communicating between said drain tile and the mainsewer line and an access pipe extending from said drain pipe through thebasement floor, comprising: an elongated valve assembly extendingthrough said access pipe into said drain pipe and having a valvedisposed within said drain pipe for closing off said drain pipe uponactuation of said valve assembly; and a sensing assembly disposed withinsaid sanitary and seepage drain system for sensing the back-up of sewagefrom said main sewer line and connected to said valve assembly toactuate said assembly when sewage backs-up from said main sewer line. 6.The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensingassembly includes a sensing member disposed within said sanitary andseepage drain system at an elevation below said drain tile.
 7. The floodcontrol system as defined in claim 5, wherein said valve assemblyincludes an elongated member extending through said access pipe intosaid drain pipe, a solenoid secured to the outeR end of said elongatedmember and connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby,said valve being secured to the inner end of said elongated member andconnected to said solenoid for actuation thereby.
 8. The flood controlsystem as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensing assembly includes anelongated member extending into said sanitary and seepage drain system,a switch connected to the upper end of said elongated member andconnected to a source of electrical power and said valve assembly foractuating said valve assembly upon actuation of said switch, a floatablemember disposed adjacent the lower end of said elongated member andoperably connected to said switch to actuate said switch when saidmember is pushed upwards by backed-up sewage.
 9. A flood control systemfor use in a house having a sanitary system connected into a main sewersystem a drain system connected into said main system, and a basementtoilet connected to said sanitary system, said flood control systemcomprising: means for automatically closing communication between saidsewer system and said drain system upon sensing sewage back-up from saidmain sewer system, a valve mechanism disposed between said basementtoilet and the basement floor for shutting off said basement toilet toprevent sewage back-up from said sanitary system upon actuation of saidmechanism; and a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary systemfor sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line andconnected to said valve mechanism to actuate said valve mechanism uponback-up of sewage from said main sewer line.
 10. The flood controlsystem as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve mechanism includesthree substantially rectangular planar members disposed in threesubstantially parallel planes, the first and second members beingfixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formedtherein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toiletand a pipe of said sanitary systems, the third member having an apertureformed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and secondmember between a first position wherein the aperture of said thirdmember aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and asecond position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposedbetween the apertures of said first and second members to prevent theback-up of sewage therethrough.
 11. The flood control system as definedin claim 9, and including a valve assembly having a valve memberdisposed within said sanitary system and operable to shut off at least aportion of said sanitary system upon actuation thereof, said valveassembly being connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby.12. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary systemconnected into a main sewer system and a basement toilet comprising: avalve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basementfloor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-upfrom said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism; a sensingassembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing the back-up ofsewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve mechanismupon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line; said valve mechanismincluding three substantially rectangular planar members disposed inthree substantially parallel planes, the first and second members beingfixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formedtherein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toiletand a pipe of said sanitary system, the third member having an apertureformed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and secondmember between a first position wherein the aperture of said thirdmember aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and asecond position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposedbetween the apertures of said first and second members to prevent theback-up of sewage therethrough.
 13. The flood control system as definedin claim 12, and including a valve assembly having a valve memberdisposed within said sanitary system and operable to shut off at least aportion of said sanitary system from said main sewer system uponactuation thereof, said valve assembly being connected to said sensingassembly for actuation thereby.